The Twins had until Oct. 15 to send the Angels a player to be named or cash. Typically in that type of trade, a club gives up a mid-level prospect and Van Mil falls into that category.

Van Mil, 25, had been designated for assignment on Saturday to make room for Fuentes on the 40-man roster.

The 7-foot-1 pitcher was 1-2 with a 6.37 ERA in 23 games for Double-A New Britain this season after beginning the year with Class A Fort Myers, where he went 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three outings. Van Mil also was invited to the Twins Major League Spring Training prior to this year, but soreness in his shoulder prevented him from being able to take part in most of the drills. And while Van Mil was considered to have a strong arm, injuries have hampered his development since the Twins signed him as a non-drafted free agent in 2005.

ANAHEIM – Twins manager Ron Gardenhire stuck to his word and inserted Jim Thome into the lineup for a second straight day. Thome didn’t have the best first night on Wednesday, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. But he’ll be the DH and Jason Kubel will shift into left field with Delmon Young getting the night off.

The Twins are prepared for a less than ideal travel schedule tonight, when they leave Anaheim after the game and are scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 5:30 a.m. So I’m sure everyone will be hoping for a quick game tonight, to speed up the travel process.

ANAHEIM – Jim Thome makes his debut as a starter in the Twins lineup, batting sixth as the the club’s designated hitter.

With Thome in the lineup, Jason Kubel sits today. Manager Ron Gardenhire said in his pre-game session that he plans to mix and match over the next few games to get everyone in a game. That includes possibly starting catcher Drew Butera on Friday night in Chicago following the late night flight and turnaround for a night game there.

Gardenhire is also feeling better after missing the final few innings of last night’s game due to flu-like symptoms. He’ll be back in the dugout tonight.

ANAHEIM –Both the Twins and Angels are running out their Opening Day lineups for a second straight night, as they meet in game 2 of the four-game set at Angel Stadium.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had considered starting Brendan Harris at third base against the lefty, but said that the career numbers caused him to stick with Nick Punto for a second straight night. Punto is 4-for-12 against Saunders while Harris is 0-for-3.

Orlando Hudson’s left knee is doing fine after he was hit by a pitch on Monday night. Gardenhire said he didn’t even have to ask Hudson if he wanted to play.

In other news, Ron Mahay pitched a scoreless inning in an intrasquad game down in Fort Myers today. Mahay will join the Class A Fort Myers Miracle squad tomorrow. The purpose is just to get Mahay innings and the club feels it doesn’t matter where those innings come just that he gets to pitch.

UPDATE: The Twins also received good news on right-hander Clay Condrey today. His MRI exam showed a flexor strain in his elbow but no
other structural or ligament damage. They’ll have Condrey rest for 10-14 days and the hope is that he can get back on the mound soon after that.

After some rain showers this morning, the
sky has cleared and it’s a beautiful sunny California afternoon in
Orange County.Manager Ron Gardenhire was asked if it bothers him that
his team’s contest is one of the last of the day when lots of baseball had been played. But he said that he felt like his club had already been through an Opening Day with the Target Field exhibition contest this past weekend.

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